Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-02-23
And then sho fell to wondering how

bluc-and-gold decorations becoming to
her; AMI if But who is to trace tho
devious current of pretty girls medita-
tions, when once they wander into tho
regions of IFS and ands'
"Anything but fashionable woman"
Alurcd Creswick's heart echoed Zaidec
Gray's passionate words "anythiny but
Il fashionable woman"
The little discussion had an auditor
that they rocked not of.
Was it strange that Mr.. Crcswick
opened the latch of the lower garden
gate, and came to try and comfort poor
little Zay in her tribulation2
II have heard it all, zaidcc," said he.
"Do not fret, poor little lassic--it can't
be helped. But after this ] shall never
want to see the FURNISHED breasts and
gitttring wings of heavens poor little
songstcls on woman's head gear. 1t is
too much like a sacrifice. 1t makes ono
think of the slaughter Of the innocents."
Zaidcc lifted those velvet-hazel eyes
of hers to his face, full of incxplicablc
plcadings.
I-Iknow it's dread fully silly Of me-"
she faltcrcd; "but if could only have
put my little pets under tho green
grass"
"You shallw said Mr.. Creswicl.
"But--"
"Don't look so troubled, Zaidcc--
don't ] say that you shalIi" reiterated
Crcswick.
"Oh," cried Zaidce, "you are SO good
No one has comfortcd me as you have.
Every one seemed to think it was so
silly of me to care for birds. But they
were such beautiful, innocent little crea-
lures, and they had been my pets"
In the carminc glow OF the sunset that
evening" Mr.. Crcswick brought Zaidec
little paper box.
"IIcre arc your darlings," he said. 81
bribcd Beers the taxerdcrmist, to let me
have them. II, will substitute others in
their placcs--unfortunatcly there are
plenty of poor little sacrifices to the idle
folly of fashions barbarous whim piled
up thero on his countcr-and Miss Gray"
Che did not say Louise, zlidcc vaguely
notccdD "wil b. none the wiser"
ooh, it is to good of you--so good
oil you!' repeated Zedcc. but how
Louise can wear those things on her hat !
Why, would as soon 90 around like
the cannibals that VIC read of, with
strings of human teeth around my neck,
and scaIps hung ut my belt. Should
you think nc very childish and silly,
Mr.. Creswick," she added, with soft
eyes lifted imploringly to his face, "if I
bury these poor little winged creatures,
whose bright life is over now, in the
corner of my nowcr-gardcn?'
Dear little Zaidcc," he said, kindly,
Tin my eyes everything that you do is
right"
And so, together, they buried the two
bluc-birds and the tiny, goldstrcakcd
humming- bird. While at Mrs. May
dcw's "musical tca'' every one was Won
dcring where Mr.. Crcswick was--and
Miss Louise Gray, most Of all.
"Z,dcc," said Aurcd, as he sat OIL
the crooked trunk of tree, when the
miniature obscquics were over, "will
you answer me one question:
GAS many as you please, Mr.. Crcs-
WICK" said the girl, who was slowly
sprinkling clover leaves on the ting
mound, with her chin resting in her
hand.
"What did you mean, just now, when
YOU asked me if l should think you
childish in following the dictates of
your hcart1"
What do Imcan'" she repeated
"Ycs. "Do seem 50 very old to
youF"
"You, Mr.. Crcswick| zridec's color
wounted like pink waves to the roots of
her hair. "Oh, no, no!'
81 am eight and twenty" said he.
"And if the girl whom l love considers
that too old, am lost, indeed"
"Do you mcan-Louise2' she faltered.
81 mean-Zlidcc he replied.
In an instant he had folded her to his
heart.
"My little one my pretty one, my
hearts queen" he whispercl / passionate
ly. >,
"Oh," cried Z,idcc, II never could
have believed this. lhave thought of it,
but-but what have done to deserve
thi>2"
And then Alurcd Creswick knew how
well she loved him, this shy soft eyed,
impctuous young thing,
Louise Gray's new bonnet was cx
cccdingly elegant and stylish, "a per
feet love of thing" as all her young
lady friends said. But it had cost he
dear. 1t had cost her lover. And hc
loss had been bright eyed Zidcc's gain
"For | think after this" said Mr.
Crcswick, 81 never can see bird'i
bright wing or pretty dropping head or
girls bonnet without thrill Of dis.
taste, OF aversion, almost. B,rbarism il
barbarism, whether fashion santions i
or not. ~ Saturday Night.
! A Scheme t, Buy Louisiana.